This is much longer than I anticipated. However, if you have any interest in visiting the GCL, hopefully, it’s worth the read. A big thanks to the Vital members that suggested visiting – it was an incredible trip! For those that feel it’s TLDR, skip ahead and enjoy some photos.
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On 9/20/21, I started the thread "Does a Dude Ranch for Moto-Guys Exist?"
At that time, I think I was probably burning through episodes of Yellowstone and infatuated with the scenery of the West. I was intrigued by the idea of a ranch-type moto vacation spot, and several Vital users suggested the Gold Creek Lodge. I had never heard of it, and it was well before PulpMX, Motosport, and Fox had done collaborations with them. I did some research, watched some YoutTube videos, and it seemed to really hit the mark. Life carried on after I started the thread, but one day last summer, I was scrolling through Instagram on my lunch break and saw that they had a few open spots left for their all-inclusive package. I finally said, F it. I checked with my wife for clear dates, called them up, and booked my trip for the end of August.
I put the offer to join out to a bunch of my off-road buddies, but the timing didn’t work out for anyone. While I may have enjoyed some company, I was pretty pumped to go solo. The GCL said that they would pair me with a group of similar skill level when I booked, and I was added to a group of hilarious rippers from Hawaii. I always say that moto guys are generally the best types of people, and these dudes reaffirmed that. After 6 days of riding, laughing, eating/drinking well, and hitting the dirt more than a few times, I felt like I had known many of them for much of my life. Great dudes, great memories.
The lodge itself and the “all-inclusive” experience is an 11/10. Aiden, the young legend who runs the place, picked me (and the Hawaiians) up at the Spokane airport in a decked-out Sprinter van. I was promptly offered an iced cold beverage and we headed off to a dock on Lake Pend-Oreille. We, along with our moto luggage, took a boat from this dock to a boat house across the lake. This crafty maneuver allegedly shaved off about an hour of driving the rugged dirt roads through the mountains that lead to the lodge. We loaded a couple of side by sides and headed up the mountain to the lodge. I’m sure you’ve seen the photos by now (more below if you haven’t) – the place is sick. It’s a moto oasis in nestled in the woods. A full-blown race shop, a restaurant/bar with great food and cold drinks, and 2-story lodge to rest your head after a long day of riding. All food/beer/lodging/bike rental are included in the package. You only need money to tip the servers/tour guides, and if you want to buy merch. Our week went something like this:
Day 1: Arrival. Drop bags, grab food/beer, make bike adjustments (levers and bars), go to the lake, wake surf, drink more beers, eat dinner, sleep.
Day 2: Wake up and eat breakfast at the restaurant. While we ate, the shop mechanics prepped the bikes. Our wheels were rolling by 8:30am to beat the summer heat. Two tour guides (usually Aiden and another guy) took us through 40-50 miles of trail. Nothing too technical, but much steeper than New Jersey! I stuffed board shorts in my USWE and we stopped for a cold swim in a stream mid-ride. At around 2pm, we headed back to the lodge. Shop mechanics cleaned the bikes, the group ate lunch, and then we headed down to the lake. Wake surf, beers, dinner, bed.
Day 3: Repeat of Day 2, but with very technical trails… Packsaddle. IYKYK
Day 4: More riding, more laughing, more food, more beer, more wake surfing.
Day 5: More riding, more laughing, more food, more beer, more wake surfing. I’m smoked at this point. Packed my bags for departure in the morning.
Day 6: Wake up and eat breakfast, say farewell to the staff, and do Day 1 in reverse. Let reality set in that you go back to work on Monday.
Sign Off Notes:
Aiden and the GCL staff are top notch. They give you a factory rider experience, and will show you the best trails that Idaho has to offer.
Pack extra underwear - the trails are no joke. They’re steep, they’re rocky, and I’m not ashamed to admit it… they’re scary. I’m a pretty competent rider back East, but some of the open exposure side-hilling will make your butt pucker. One twitch of the front wheel, and you’re going for a nice slide. Ask me how I know. Look ahead, don’t look down!
The rental bikes are great and well maintained. I rode a 2022 300 TPI and it was the perfect steed for the terrain.
Bring a decent sized USWE. I drank through 1.5 liters about ¾ through our ride on the first day. It’s a good idea to bring hydration tablets, too… like NUNA, liquid IV, etc.
Pace yourself. I’m pretty fit, but my body was roached after 4 days of 40-60 mile rides.
Stop making excuses and letting life get in the way. Book a trip, go rip, and have fun!
Like I said, look ahead, not down 
Taylor Robert stopped by to rip some GCL trails and wakesurf with us. Congrats to him on his latest ISDE win and retirement.
So excluding travel to Spokane, what does a trip like the one you took run per person?
A little over $3k. That included:
Transportation to and from Spokane International
5 nights lodging
4 day bike rental
All food and beer
Access to the side by sides
Wakesurfing w/ Aiden as the boat captain
Roundtrip flight from NJ was around $320 w/ an AA Visa promotion.
Very cool! thank you for sharing!
Looks like a few people in your crew got their bikes to the top of the massive pile of boulders at the peak of the mountain? I thought about it but I was already smoked from the ride just to get there!
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Nice report OP. How did you like the pull up to the top of packsaddle? And did you come down the back side with the intense view of the lake?
The lodge is now only open to people booking an all-inclusive package like the OP did. So no more Friday night rides from Bunco to the lodge for prime rib dinner
. The good news is this should cut down like 75% of the traffic out there, so the trails can be repaired.
If anyone wants to ride this area and can't swing the GCL pricing then holler at me. I live in the area and have a buddy bike (300xc) someone can borrow. I also know some very remote loops out by the bitterroot divide that make the Independence Creek trails (GLC area trails) pretty tame in comparison.
Two guys went for it, and both made it to the top. I’m with you - I’m not a hard enduro guy and I wasn’t going to trash GCL’s bike trying to make it to the top. Killer view up there though.
We actually did the trail in reverse. The normal way up packsaddle was so hammered that it was even difficult upon descent. Aiden said that one of the goals to limiting the riding to all inclusive packages is to better preserve and repair the trails. We hardly rode the independence creek stuff. Mosquito was my favorite trail - fast and flowy with good elevation change. I think that one was off the beaten path.
Very Cool , honestly the price sounds fairly reasonable
You’re giving me the inspiration to do this, although like you I’ll most likely going on my own. What time of the year would be best to do this?
For the group you were in with the guys from Hawaii, was everyone around the same skill set? I do have one friend that may be interested but he has minimal off-road motorcycle experience. He’s a technical mountain bike rider but not with motorcycles. Do you think someone like that would still have fun?
Sounds amazing. Thanks for sharing.
Ahhh, Trail 111. My favorite place on this planet
Great write up ! This is definitely on the to do list. I met the owner at an EX race that Aiden was racing. Real cool guy. I will definitely be supporting this place. I’ve heard nothing but good things.
I'd say probably not, they might ruin your fun too. Does he ride dirt bikes on moto tracks or not at all?
Gold Creek isn't some hard enduro by any means but it's not a place for beginners in my opinion. They are real mountain trails in big mountains. Some of them have some pretty good exposure on steep slopes as OP mentioned. Switch backs on steep hillsides. Quite a few rocks. Some of the sidehills the trails aren't much more than 12-16" wide and if you end up off of them it's not awesome.
Not trying to deter anyone from going, but it's a place for at least semi experienced riders in my opinion.
Just saw on the socials they have a fleet of 20 brand new 300 XCWs for this year.
That’s what I kinda figured. He doesn’t really have moto experience, more adventure bikes. Guess was wondering how they do it if you don’t go with a group and get stuck with people of lower skill so that was the question for the op did he just get lucky and the guys from Hawaii were all decent riders? Or do you just assume if people are paying this price they are decent riders? I was wondering if there routes had “hero sections” where people can challenge themselves and the people not comfortable can bypass and catch on with each other down the trail?
this looks freaking gnarly and not at all beginner friendly
Last time I was there a dude from NJ paid for the whole enchilada and could barely ride a bike. He about had a heart attack half way up the first trail of the day, so he got guided back early and ended up spending the whole weekend drunk. So did everyone else, but at least they got to ride.
Bring your buddy and I'll take him riding on some mild stuff. I even have a buddy bike he can ride. Or I can take him on a fun SxS ride over to Clark Fork for lunch and then explore some old mining relics on the way back. Lots to do and see in them mountains.
Is there a place to rent a bike by you? I’ll just hook up with you then! What is the best time of year to go?
When I booked the trip, Aiden gave me two or three weeks as options so that I would be paired with groups of similar ability. He pretty much nailed it because I was basically right in the middle of the Hawaiian group the whole time. The Hawaiians were hard enduro guys accustomed to steady technical rock climbs. Being from flat South Jersey, I excel in fast/flowy terrain. The GCL is a mix of both. At no point did I feel like I was holding them back, or that I was waiting too long for anyone.
LungButter gave a perfect response regarding your friend. you probably want him to sit this one out.
Pit Row
I’ve got a spare bike (300xc, kyb’s, rekluse, armor). All I ask in return is you buy lunch.
I pm”d you the other day with my contact info. Did you get it?
The place is local to me. 10 years ago those trails were amazing, now with all the traffic they are hammered. I have heard rumors that GCL is going to start maintaining the trails. That would be great, it is badly needed.
That's a big part of the reason they have went to all inclusive private tours only. The idea is, if the Lodge isn't a stopping off point for folks who aren't staying there that it'll take some pressure off the trails.
You are 100% correct that the trails within 30-40 miles of the lodge have basically been ruined by Gold Creek.
However, they are still the best trails in all of Idaho, hands down, no debate. Everyone should tell all their friends how great they are and that Idaho doesn't have any other good trails
Post a reply to: My Gold Creek Lodge Experience 2023 (Thanks Vital)